Disposable wrist/arm protector with flaps

ABSTRACT

A disposable tubular wrist/arm protector includes at least one longitudinally extending flap in the direction of the longitudinally extending axis of the tubular assembly. The assembly having a substrate having at least one layer. The flap may be formed by folding portions of the assembly laterally inward. The flap may have at least one layer. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to the unattached portion of the flap. The elastic gathering member contracts and raise the flap to form a side barrier, thereby an “O” shape is formed by the unattached portion of the flap in the tubular shape wrist/arm protector. The assembly may be absorbent, may be non-absorbent or partially absorbent and non-absorbent. The main focus of absorption and/or a protective barrier is the entry area of a wrist/arm protector, the flap acts as a block to the interior and/or exterior of the wrist/arm protector to absorb or repel as needed for its purpose. The flap holds the arm/wrist protector in a space relation away from the arm of a wearer, providing advanced protection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

A Provisional patent application describing this Invention was filed on Oct. 17, 2012, and assigned No. 61/715,036.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to disposable wrist/arm protectors intended for use in protecting a wrist/arm of a wearer and more particularly, the present invention is a new discovery of a tubular shape substrate with flaps attached to the interior of the wrist/arm protector. The main focus and importance of absorption and/or a protective barrier is the entry area of a wrist/arm protector, the flap acts as a block to the interior and/or exterior of the wrist/arm protector to absorb or repel as needed for its purpose. The flap holds the protector in a space relation away from the arm of a wearer, providing advanced protection.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pull-on tubular arm protectors are known in the art mainly used in the medical field and for those operating at high-risk exposure, having elasticized ends. Their shortcoming is that they are gathered at each end without a barrier protection at the entrance or within the tubular structure, whether absorbent or nonabsorbent.

Wrist bands, wrist covers or the like, generally of rectangular form are also known in the art, typically requiring the steps of wrapping around a wearers wrist or arm and attaching it with a rubber band, straps, buttons, Velcro, etc. These articles have exhibited various shortcomings. For example, these articles cannot have barrier protection as they are usually wrapped snugly around a wrist/arm of a wearer and attached. It is difficult for small children, elderly and those who are physically and/or mentally challenged to readily apply a wrist cover or the like without the assistance of another person.

Pull-on stretchable wrist bands are also known in the art, constructed of fully elasticized substrate however these wrist bands have been successful in the past and are still being used mainly by athletes, the shortcoming of these wrist covers is that the elasticized substrates are pressed against the wearers skin while wearing and absorbing, causing an uncomfortable wet feeling against the skin, and cannot have advanced barrier protection.

There is a need and a desire by people and by parents with very young children for a wrist or arm protector that is worn on the wrist and/or arm, that provides absorption and containment of liquids, providing a space between a wearers skin and the interior surface of the wrist protector. The flap holds the wrist/arm protector in a space relation away from the wrist and/or arm of a wearer, providing advanced protection and comfort. The wrist protector may be absorbent on the interior as well. A wrist/arm protector that is convenient, comfortable to wear, self-sufficient and easily applied by pulling it on over a hand, wrist and arm.

Alternatively there is a need by people in professional fields needing a significant barrier protection in arm protectors to prevent and block the passage of particulate migration, chemical infiltration and/or avoid contact with contaminated materials, an arm protector with flaps attached to the interior body side of the arm protector. Focusing on a protective barrier and/or absorption at the entry area of a wrist/arm protector, the flap provides the wrist/arm protector to repel or absorb as needed for its manufactured purpose. The flap holds the cover in a space relation away from the arm of a wearer, providing advanced protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is intended to be a brief summary of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. From here on the term “wrist protector” will have the meaning in reference to “wrist/arm protector”.

In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, a new wrist protector which has flaps attached on the interior surface has been discovered.

In one aspect the present invention concerns a combination of a tubular shaped article and at least one flap attached to the interior surface of the article. The tubular shaped article comprising a substrate in a tubular configuration having at least one layer and at least one flap having at least one layer. The flap is configured to maintain an upright perpendicular configuration on the tubular shape substrate to absorb and/or repel the flow of liquids and/or particulate migration at an area of entry, while holding the wrist protector away from the arm of a wearer, the flap or flaps may be placed in any longitudinally extending configuration and location on the interior of the tubular shaped article and retain its benefits. The combination also provides a method of making a tubular shaped article with at least one flap.

In another aspect the present invention concerns a tubular article formed from a generally rectangular shaped substrate in a tubular configuration, the substrate having at least one layer, having opposing lateral side edges and opposing longitudinal side edges, and a longitudinal axis, and having the lateral side edges joined to form a tubular shaped article. The tubular shaped article having a first opening region, a second opening region, and an intermediate portion having a tubular configuration which interconnects the first opening and the second opening, having an interior region, an interior portion, an exterior portion, an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tubular shaped article includes at least one flap or a pair of flaps, each flap having at least one layer, which extend longitudinally on the interior of the tubular shaped article. Each flap having a first longitudinal portion, and a second longitudinal portion and longitudinally opposing end portions. Wherein each flap includes an attached portion, which is attached to the tubular shaped article on the interior portion on the surface of the substrate and an unattached portion opposite the attached portion. The unattached portions of the flaps are configured to maintain an upright, perpendicular spaced relation away from the surface on the interior portion of the tubular shaped article. The longitudinally opposing end edges of the flaps are configured in the interior of the tubular shaped article, by at least attaching the longitudinally opposing end edges together, or at least attaching the longitudinally opposing end edges to the interior surface of the substrate, such that the flaps encircle the interior of the tubular substrate. The flaps include a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member joined to the unattached portion of the flaps, such that when allowed to relax the elastic gathering member contracts and lifts the unattached portion away from the interior surface of the tubular shaped article.

In still another aspect the present invention concerns a tubular shaped article having at least one flap, the tubular shaped article comprising a first opening region, a second opening region, and an intermediate portion having a tubular configuration which interconnects the first opening and the second opening regions, a substrate comprising at least one layer comprising an interior portion comprising an interior surface facing the body of a wearer and an interior region and at least one flap the flap comprising at least one layer, comprising a first portion and an opposing second portion, wherein the first portion of the flap is attached to the substrate, the unattached portion is configured to maintain a upright perpendicular spaced relation away from the surface of the substrate. The flap includes a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member joined to the unattached portion of the flap, such that when allowed to relax the elastic gathering member contracts and lifts the unattached portion of the flap away from the surface of the tubular substrate. The elasticized unattached portion of the flap is configured to encircle a wrist and/or arm of a wearer, in a contacting relation with a wearers arm.

The resulting product is a wrist protector with perpendicular operative flaps for absorbing and drawing liquids to an absorbent substrate before liquids can contact a wearers arm and/or providing a protective barrier to block and prevent the passage of particulate migration, chemical infiltration and/or avoid contact with contaminated materials. The flaps provide a distance between the interior substrate and the arm of a wearer, the various widths of the flaps may also provide for a expansion means to pull over different size wrists, hands and arms.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a feature and advantage of the invention to provide flaps to an interior surface of a substrate in a tubular shaped configuration. In particular the present invention provides upright perpendicular flaps having an elastic gathering member, to an interior surface of a disposable wrist/arm protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing figures, like reference numerals identify structurally corresponding elements, which may or may not be identical in the several exemplary embodiments that are depicted. Some of the figures may have been simplified by the omission of selected elements for the purpose of more clearly showing other elements.

In the drawing figures and in the written description, lowercase letters appended to reference numerals indicate generally symmetric elements, e.g., at least one flap is attached to the interior body side and is identified by the reference number 257 a and an opposing second flap is identified by the reference number 257 b. A reference numeral without an appended lowercase letter identifies all of the elements to which that particular reference numeral applies, e.g., at least one sheet formed of individual opposing portions may be identified in its entirety by the reference numeral X, while the left and right portions are individually identified by the respective reference numerals Xa and Xb; thus, textual reference to a structure identified by X includes elements Xa, Xb, and so on.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm protector 20, showing a first opening region, with the exterior view of the arm protector facing the viewer;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm protector 20, showing a second opening region, with the exterior view of the arm protector facing the viewer;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the arm protector 20, which is shown in a flat and un-contracted state, i.e., without the tubular shape form and without the contraction induced by elastic members. In FIG. 3, the interior portion of the arm protector 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer with flaps that contact the wearer is shown facing the viewer;

FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are section views of the arm protector 20 of FIG. 3 taken at the respective section 3-3. In these section views, the interior portion of the arm protector 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer with flaps that contact the wearer is shown facing upward;

FIG. 7 is an alternative section view of the arm protector 20 of FIG. 3 taken at the respective section 3-3, the flaps being formed by folds in the layer. In this view the interior portion of the arm protector 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer with flaps that contact the wearer is shown facing upward;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the arm protector 20, which is shown in a flat and un contracted state, i.e., without the tubular shape form and without the contraction induced by elastic members, in this view the arm protector 20 shows at least one panel attached to an end portion 240 a, in this view the interior portion of the arm protector 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer with flaps that contact the wearer is shown facing the viewer;

FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are modified versions of the arm protector 20, showing an exemplary arm protector 20 with at least one panel 230 that connect the wrist cover 20.

DEFINITIONS

Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below will include the following meaning or meanings:

The term “absorbent,” “liquid-permeable material” and/or “water-permeable” refers to one or more layers or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid and/or water to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure, refers to a material present in one or more layers, such as a film, nonwoven fabric, or open-celled foam, which is porous, and which is water permeable due to the flow of water and other aqueous liquids through the pores. The pores in the film or foam, or spaces between fibers or filaments in a nonwoven web, are large enough and frequent enough to permit leakage and flow of liquid through the material. Also refers to water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material, the materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, the materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers, or the like.

The term “attached” refers to elements being connected, joined, secured or united in at least a portion of an area by fastening, adhering, bonding, etc. by any method suitable for the elements being attached together and their constituent materials. Many suitable methods for attaching elements together are well known, including adhesive bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding mechanical fastening, etc. Such attachment methods may be used to attach elements together over a particular area either continuously or intermittently. Two elements will be considered to be attached together when they are attached directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as being directly attached to intermediate elements.

The term “axis” refers to a center line to which parts of a structure may be referred, as being referred to an imaginary line.

The terms “configured” and” configuration” refers to design and/or arrange, or arrangement of parts or elements.

The term “define” refers to particularly point to and specify distinctly.

The term “disposable” refers to the nature of articles that generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article, i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner.

The term “elastic”, “elasticized”, and “elasticity” refers to that property of a material or composite by virtue of which it tends to recover its original size and shape after removal of a force causing deformation. “Elastic” includes but not limited to elastic bands, strands of elastic, ribbons of elastic, filaments, filament bunches and the like.

The term “element” is used to mean a component part, a constituent part; ingredient, an essential component.

The term “expansion” refers to the act of expanding or the state of being expanded, something expanded; the act of increasing (something) in size, an expanded surface or part, or that expands another object.

The terms “form” and “formed” refer to the shape and/or structure, to become formed or shaped, e.g. tubular in form, a flap is formed.

The terms “interior” and “exterior” refer respectively to the location or position of an element that is intended to be defined in a location of the article, alternatively, refers to being placed toward the body of a wearer, or away from the body of the wearer when an article is worn. Synonyms for “interior” and “exterior” include, respectively, “inner” and “outer”, as well as “inside” and “outside”. The term “interior” refers to a part, surface or region that is inside or on the inside, of, relating to, or located on the inside of the tubular structure; inner, the internal portion or area.

The term “intermediate” refers to being situated between two portions, elements, regions, etc; positioned in between.

The term “longitudinal” refers to longitude or length of an element also refers to being placed, extending and/or running lengthwise, also refers to the longitudinal axis.

The term “member” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

The terms “opposite” and “opposing” refers to being placed or located across from something else or from each other.

The term “perpendicular” refers to a standing in a raised and/or upright position, extending in a upright perpendicular direction, as in the flaps maintain an upright perpendicular configuration on the interior of the tubular shaped substrate.

The term ‘polymers” also referring to “elastomer” and “elastomeric” refers to any of various polymers having the elastic properties of natural rubber, any material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, that is able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed. “Polymers” include, but are not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” shall include all possible geometrical configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic symmetries.

The term “structure” is the way in which parts are arranged or put together to form a whole; make up “tubular in structure”.

The term “substrate” refers to at least one layer of material, when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

The term “surface” includes the outermost area of a substrate, layer or sheet of material or the like, includes any layer, film, woven, nonwoven, laminate, polypropylene, surge material, or the like, whether pervious or impervious to air, gas, water and/or liquids, or the like.

The term “tubular” refers respectively of or relating to a configuration in a cylinder or tube shape, the wrist cover in its wearable state is shaped in a three dimensional like tube, like a tubular structure, or a configuration of a tubular wearing article.

The term “unattached” refers to being not attached in at least a portion of an area, an unattached portion is in an independent form.

The terms “wrist protector” and “wrist/arm protector” refers to an article that is generally worn by persons about the wrist or arm so as to encircle the wrist or arm of a wearer.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm protector with interior flaps as a pull-on cover, the arm protector 20, as shown in a tubular shape configuration having an interior portion. The arm protector having an interior surface on the body facing side 203, an exterior non body side surface 204 and a first arm opening region 100 and a second arm opening region 110. In FIG. 1 the arm protector 20 is shown with at least one flap 257 a attached to the interior body side surface 203 of the tubular shape arm protector 20. The flap 257 a having a first longitudinal portion 25 a, defines an attached portion 35 a and an opposing second longitudinal portion 26 a, defines an unattached portion 36 a, and a first and second longitudinally opposing ends 27 a and 27 c, the second longitudinal portion 26 a having at least one longitudinally extending elastic gathering member 227 attached to the unattached portion of the flap, the unattached portion 36 a is configured to maintain an upright, perpendicular, spaced relation away on the interior portion of the arm protector 20. In FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction 37 and the lateral direction 38 of the arm protector 20 is defined. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows the arm protector in a tubular shape form, having an interior portion, by being formed in a continuous web, or alternatively by attaching the opposing first and second side edges 240 a and 240 b as shown.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm protector with flaps as a pull-on arm protector, the arm protector 20, as shown in a tubular shape configuration having an interior portion, the arm protector showing the view of the second opening 110. FIG. 2 shows the arm protector 20 having a interior surface on the interior body facing side 203 and a exterior non body side surface 204, in FIG. 2 the arm protector 20 is shown with at least one flap 257 b attached to the interior body side surface 203 of the tubular shape arm protector 20. The flap 257 b having a first longitudinal portion 25 b defining an attached portion 35 b and an opposing second longitudinal portion 26 b defining an unattached portion 36 b, and a first and second longitudinally opposing ends 27 b and 27 d, the second longitudinal portion 26 b having at least one longitudinally extending elastic gathering member 227 attached, the unattached portion 36 b is configured to maintain an upright, perpendicular, spaced relation away on the interior portion of the tubular shape arm protector 20. In FIG. 2, the longitudinal direction 37 is defined and the lateral direction 38 is defined.

FIG. 3 is a Plan view of the arm protector 20 having a substrate having at least one layer and having at least one flap having at least one layer, which is shown in a flat and un-contracted state, i.e., without the tubular shape and the contraction induced by elastic members 227. In FIG. 3, the interior portion of the arm protector 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer is shown facing the viewer. FIG. 3 shows the respective section line 3-3 of the arm protector 20. FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show the respective section line 3-3 in respective section views. FIG. 3 defines the arm opening regions 57 a and 57 b; FIG. 3 defines the longitudinal axis 67, which runs in a longitudinal direction. FIG. 3 shows the arm protector 20 with a first flap 257 a and an opposing second flap 257 b in a longitudinal direction, each flap 257 a and 257 b are shown with the first longitudinal portion 25 a and 25 b attached to at least a portion of the interior body side 203 of the tubular assembly 200 in the attached portions 35 a and 35 b along the opening regions 57 a and 57 b, the second longitudinal portion 26 a and 26 b are shown positioned toward the center longitudinal axis 67, not shown can alternatively be positioned away from the longitudinal axis 67. The second longitudinal portions 26 a and 26 b, each having at least one longitudinally extending elastic gathering member 227 attached, the unattached portions 36 a and 36 b of the second longitudinal portions are configured to maintain an upright, perpendicular, spaced relation away on the interior portion of the tubular shape arm protector 20, the arm opening edges are defined by 247 a and 247 b, the lateral direction is defined by 38.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 the tubular assembly 200, has longitudinally opposing flaps 257 a and 257 b. The flaps may be formed by folding portions of the tubular assembly toward the longitudinal axis 67, to form both the respective flaps 257 a and 257 b and the arm opening edges 247 a and 247 b of the tubular assembly 200. Alternatively, the flaps may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the tubular assembly 200. In embodiments in which flaps are formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the tubular assembly, each of the additional layer or layers may be attached at or adjacent to each of the respective arm opening edges 247 a and 247 b or in any configuration in which a flap is formed at least at the arm opening edge of the tubular shaped article. In embodiments in which portions of the tubular assembly 200 are folded inward to form the flaps 257 a and 257 b, the tubular assembly 200 may simply be folded loosely or may be creased along a portion of each of its arm opening edges 247 a and 247 b. For example, it may be desirable to form creases along portions of the arm opening edges 247 a and 247 b in the arm opening regions 57 a and 57 b in order to impart a more finished appearance to the tubular shape arm protector 20. Alternatively or in addition to creasing, a portion of each of the folded flaps 257 a and 257 b adjacent to the arm opening edges 247 a and 247 b a portion may be attached to the interior surface 203 of the tubular assembly 200 to achieve a similar result.

Each flap 257 a and 257 b may be attached to the interior surface 203 of the tubular assembly 200 adjacent to the arm opening edge 247 a and 247 b. For example, in the arm protector 20 as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 each flap 257 a and 257 b having a first longitudinal portion 25 a and 25 b and a second longitudinal portion 26 a and 26 b wherein the first longitudinal portions 25 a and 25 b are attached in the attached portions 35 a and 35 b to the interior surface 203 of the tubular assembly 200, while the second longitudinal portions 26 a and 26 b remains free, i.e., are not attached to the interior surface 203 of the tubular assembly 200. Each flap includes at least one elastic member 227 that is attached adjacent to the edge of the second longitudinal portion 26 a and 26 b in the unattached portions 36 a and 36 b of the flap. The elastic member may be enclosed inside folded hems, such as the hems 281 a and 281 b shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Alternatively, the elastic member may be sandwiched between two layers of the flap or may be attached on a surface of the flap and remain exposed. The longitudinal axis 67 is defined and the arm opening edges 247 a and 247 b are defined. The exterior non-body side 204 of the arm protector 20 is defined. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 the lateral direction 38 is defined.

FIG. 8 also shows an exemplarily view of the arm protector 20 in its flat un-contracted state i.e., without the tubular shape and the contraction induced by elastic members 227. In FIG. 8, the interior portion of the arm protector 20 that faces inwardly toward the wearer and contacts the wearer is shown facing the viewer. FIG. 8 shows at least one panel 230 having opposing end portions 231 a and 231 b. FIG. 8 shows a first end portion 231 a of panel 230 attached to a first end portion 240 a of the arm protector and a second end portion 231 b of the panel 230, when in a tubular configuration, not shown in FIG. 8, may be attached to the second end portion 240 b of the arm protector 20. The panel 230 may be elasticized or un-elasticized.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show an exemplary view of the tubular arm protector 20 in three different views where the arm protector with flaps attached to the interior in a tubular form showing the exterior surface and at least one panel 230 attached to the arm protector 20. The panel or panels 230 may be attached to provide for easy removal of the arm protector. Not shown the first and second longitudinally opposing ends of the flaps may be joined to each other, to the panel or panels or adjacent the panel or panels, or any other configuration wherein the tubular arm protector with flaps and elastic, and panel or panels may be configured to provide for easy removal of the arm protector.

The flap elastic members, when stretched, allow the second longitudinal edges of the flaps to extend to the flat un contracted length of the assembly, as shown in FIG. 3. When allowed to relax, the flap elastic members contract to gather the portions of the second longitudinal edges along which the flap elastic members are attached. For example, when the tubular shape arm protector 20 is in a relaxed condition as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the elastic strands 227 contract to gather the second longitudinal edges 26 a and 26 b of the flaps 257 a and 257 b. The tubular shape of the arm protector and the contractive forces of the elastic strands pull the second longitudinal edges toward the interior of the wrist cover and thereby the “O” shape is formed by the interior portions of the tubular shape arm protector. Because the second longitudinal edges remain free, the contractive forces of the elastic members lift the second longitudinal portion 26 a and 26 b of the flaps 257 a and 257 b away from the interior surface 203, and thereby raise the flaps that extend between the arm of a wearer and the interior body side of the arm protector. The second longitudinal edge is lifted and the flap is raised to fit the wearer to form gathers around the arm of the wearer allowing a width for the flaps to become an extending portion that extends from the arm of the wearer to the interior of the wrist cover to become an absorbent flap and/or protective barrier and to allow for the wrist cover to be held away from the arm of a wearer.

The tubular assembly 200 may include an absorbent core disposed in arrangement with at least one layer of the substrate. The substrate in at least one layer may be water-permeable and allow liquid to pass through its thickness to an absorbent core. The substrate preferably is formed of a soft material that will not irritate the skin of the wearer, for example a synthetic nonwoven such as spunbonded or carded polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or rayon. The substrate may include a water-permeable layer of any suitable material, a portion or the whole of at least one layer may be water vapor-permeable, i.e., breathable. Alternatively or in addition, a layer may include a water-impermeable layer that is formed of a suitable material, for example a film of polyethylene or another polyolefin, a microporous breathable film, a hydrophobic nonwoven, or a film formed of coextruded layers of polyolefin layers. A multi-layer substrate, such as a laminate of a film and a nonwoven, may also be suitable and may be oriented with the nonwoven disposed exteriorly to provide the feel and appearance of a cloth-like outermost layer, with the nonwoven disposed interiorly to separate the film from the skin of the wearer, or with nonwovens disposed both exteriorly and interiorly. The tubular assembly may be biodegradable and/or disposable.

In the different aspects of the present invention, multiple uses are foreseen as a arm protector with flaps. It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents thereto. 

We claim:
 1. A combination including a flap and a tubular shaped article, the combination comprising: a substrate comprising at least one layer and at least one flap comprising at least one layer.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the flap comprise a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is configured to maintain an upright, perpendicular spaced relation away from the tubular shaped substrate.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the first portion of the flap is attached to the tubular shaped substrate.
 4. The combination of claim 2 wherein the first portion of the flap is attached to the interior of the tubular shaped substrate.
 5. The combination of claim 2 wherein the second portion of the flap comprise elastic.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the elastic is a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member, such that when allowed to relax the elastic gathering member contracts and lifts the second portion of the flap away from the substrate.
 7. A tubular shaped wrist/arm cover comprising the combination of claim
 1. 8. A prosthetics cover comprising the combination of claim
 1. 9. A barrier arm protector comprising the combination of claim 1
 10. An expansion means for a tubular wrist/arm cover comprising the combination of claim
 1. 11. A method of making a tubular shaped article comprising at least one flap comprising the combination of claim
 1. 12. A tubular shaped article, comprising: a substrate comprising at least one layer in a tubular configuration comprising a first opening region and a second opening region, and an interior portion an exterior portion and comprising at least one flap comprising at least one layer.
 13. The tubular shaped article of claim 12 wherein the flap comprise a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion is configured to maintain an upright, perpendicular spaced relation away from the tubular shaped substrate.
 14. The tubular shaped article of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the flap is attached to the tubular shaped substrate.
 15. The tubular shaped article of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the flap is attached to the interior portion of the tubular shaped substrate.
 16. The tubular shaped article of claim 13 wherein the second portion of the flap comprise elastic.
 17. The tubular shaped article of claim 16 wherein the elastic is a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member, such that when allowed to relax the elastic gathering member contracts and lifts the second portion of the flap away from the substrate.
 18. The tubular shaped article of claim 12 wherein the flap is a longitudinally extending flap.
 19. The tubular shaped article of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the flap is a longitudinally extending portion.
 20. The tubular shaped article of claim 13 wherein the second portion of the flap is a longitudinally extending portion. 